Tiny raindrops were starting to pour from the void above me. I didn't have an umbrella so I hurried to the nearest coffee shop. I shrugged off the droplets on my clothes and ordered hot coffee. I looked for a better spot where I could enjoy and savor my coffee and its aroma.
I found a spot, it was near the exit door. The door was made of clear glass, so the outside was visible. The door would also lead to the stairs going to the rooftop.
While waiting for my cup, I gazed around the shop. Right outside the exit door, a corner caught my eye. It has wood art and flowers.
My coffee was served, I started sipping it and I looked outside. The clouds were still warning for rain but the drizzle seemed shy that it decided to hide.
More customers were coming in, newcomers chose to occupy the rooftop. From the exit door, they went upstairs. I observed that nobody even took a glance at the corner. It seemed like the corner didn't exist.
I finished my coffee and took my exit. I stopped by the corner and looked at the decorations closely. The hanging wood art has faded positive quotes written on it.
I felt a pang in my chest and it felt weird. I never thought I am emotional. It wasn't a place with memories. It was just a corner I saw for the first time.
My thoughts started drifting to 7 years ago.
There was this person who I wanted to befriend. I met her when I was in college. She would always leave her bag on the stairs going to the rooftop. I felt curious who the owner of the bag was and decided to go to the rooftop and I saw this girl. She was in her wrinkled uniform and her messy hair. The first time I laid my eyes on her, I knew she was the best friend I want to have.
I observed that she always spent time on the rooftop of our school building. I couldn't help myself and made her my friend. I wanted to always hang out with her and wherever she was after class, I always kept her company. I found out that she was a good person, just as I thought.
One day some of my classmates talked behind her back, they made a big deal out of her wrinkled clothes and messy hair. That time, I felt I have to protect her from such people. The feeling of wanting her to be my best friend became stronger.
I spent all my vacant time with her and she became my best friend. As days passed by, my classmates perhaps saw the best of her character and they stopped talking behind her back. They started to like her and some started to hang out with her. I was alright because I was also happy for her having many friends, only that I started to feel left out. I'd invite her to sleep over in my boarding house but she always declined and then one morning, her new friend teased her and laughed at her for knocking on her front door at 3 am. I wonder why she wouldn't knock on my door when I kept on asking her to.
One day, I got a boyfriend but my boyfriend and my best friend couldn't get along with each other. So my best friend started to stay away from me and I kept on chasing her. Many times, I invited her to hang out but she would decline for the reason that she was busy. I knew she was just avoiding me and I can't blame her. My boyfriend and I were very toxic, we always fought on immature stuff.
Then, I and my boyfriend agreed to end our relationship. After that, I asked my best friend to hang out with me but she refused for the reason that she was busy (again) with her academics. She was the only person I wanted to be friends with and I was hurt but I never gave up. I still tried to reach her the next day and for the same reason, she refused again. I went to the mall to buy some school supplies and there, I saw her with my other classmates. I was hurt but I still tried to understand her.
Another day came, I invited her again to stroll around the city but again she declined so I just went home. My older sister came home that day and said " I saw your best friend getting together with your classmates. Why are you here? "
I cried to my sleep that night. I decided to stop chasing my best friend, I stopped talking to her, I stopped inviting her. But you know what was more painful? She wasn't even bothered about me not talking to her. I received no message from her.
Then there was a school activity, I saw her in the school's covered court and I didn't know what she ate that she miraculously approached me. I found myself turning away from her without a single word.
The next day she told me, she was disappointed in me because of the attitude I showed. It felt like I was everyone's enemy. Right timing, there was an Occupational therapy center that was looking for a part-time assistant and I volunteered. I spent my time there and the wall between us became like the Broad Wall of Jerusalem.
Time passed and we bumped into each other, we started to talk a little. The closeness wasn't the same but I could say we were both healed.
We parted ways after college.
My phone buzzed, a message appeared on my screen.
"Gold, care to eat dinner with me tonight?"
I smiled and walked away, my new best friend was waiting for me.
Wounds heal but deep wounds leave scars.
They may fade but they always leave marks.
gold
